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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 02/08/2007 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2007 7:00 PM, 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Human Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Cari Maguire (chair), Melissa Barra (Vice Chair), Larry Piumbroeck, Jeff Strate, Gerry Beckmann, Linda Chung, and Pam Spera STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Sandra Moran and Steven Shouts COMMISSION STAFF: Molly Koivumaki, Staff Liaison Mary Zilka, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Meeting called to order at 7:10 pm. Commissioners Jeff Strate, Gerry Beckmann and Larry Piumbroeck were absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda approved. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY, OCT. & JAN. MEETINGS Unable to approve meeting minutes from May, October and January due to lack of quorum from members present. IV. NEW BUSINESS A. SANDY WERTS —INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL The date of the International Festival has been set for Sunday, August 12, from 3-9 pm at Staring Lake Park. Sandy Werts asked for support and help from the HRDC. Commission members Pam Spera, Linda Chung, Cari Maguire and Melissa Barra will help on the day of the event. Maguire will go to the first planning committee meeting in March and will organize the childrens activities for this event. Student Representatives Sandra Moran and Steven Shouts will also help. Werts reported the festival seems to be better and better each year. Barra made a motion to support the International Festival, Spera seconded the motion. Motion passed. V. REPORTS OF STAFF A. HUMAN SERVICES REVIEW COMMITTEE (HSRC) Human Rights & Diversity Commission February 8, 2007 Page 2 Report from Koivumaki: The HSRC met on January 29 to review funding requests for Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) funds. The recommendations will go before the City Council at a Public Hearing on February 20, 2007. Koivumaki described some of the programs that were recommended for funding: The Emergency Vehicle Repair Program, PROP's Emergency Housing Program, HomeLine Tenant Services, HOME, and Jewish Vocational Services (JVS) who will now be administering the child care subsidy program. B. BIAS CRIME ACTIVITY STATUS None reported C. OTHER REPORTS FROM STAFF Prop Shoff The Prop Shop may be able to lease a building in the area northwest of Hwy 5 and Mitchell Rd. The building is free standing and has no other tenants. Prop Shop organizers went before the Planning Commission on Monday January 22, 2007 to request a variance in the amount of retail that will be permitted at this new location. The Planning Commission granted the variance. Camp Edenwood: Koivumaki briefed the Commission on a situation at Camp Edenwood, which is owned by the City, but leased to a group which operates services for disabled children and adults. Volunteers at the camp, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, conducted structural rehabilitation which was not in compliance with the City Building Code, or the State Historic Preservation Office. State and City officials will continue to work with the operators of Camp Edenwood to find a solution to the present situation. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS SELECTION PROCESS To help implement the selection process, the HRDC will set criteria for the Human Rights Awards at the March meeting. The group likes the idea of being able to call the nominator to ask a few clarifying questions. Koivumaki will move the application deadline from March 31, 2007 to April. Pick the selection(s) in May with the award being presented in June. That way the HRDC has time to put criteria in place and use it for this years selection. Barra moved to approve the process as described, Spera seconded. Motion approved. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. SOUTH HENNEPIN IMMIGRANT SERVICES GROUP (SHISG) Human Rights & Diversity Commission February 8, 2007 Page 3 Commission Beckmann was not here to report. Koivumaki said the meeting was good. B. ANY COMMISSION MEMBER MAY REPORT Barra will be applying again for the Best Buy tag team award. Koivumaki said the chamber is doing great with taking on our Jean Harris Scholarship award. VII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS Thursday's until June. Thursday's might be changed as a permanent day of the week. IX. ADJOURNMENT Move to adjourn meeting 8:35 pm.